Mobilise health staff to fight diarrhoea: Harsh Vardhan

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Monday said health personnel at both the central and state levels will be mobilised to boost diarrhoea-control measures.

He was speaking at the launch of the nationwide "Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF)"."The measures are a set of activities which include enhancing advocacy, stepping up awareness generation, establishing more ORS-zinc corners, enthusing ASHA volunteers to reach oral rehydration solution (ORS) packets to families with children as well as detecting kids in need of treatment," the minister said.

Diarrhoea kills more than 200,000 children annually, the third biggest cause of child mortality.Harsh Vardhan said a wider role for the community will be sought in generating awareness about the simple steps that can help avoid such tragedies.